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Being Cyrus Broacha

Cyrus Broacha talks non-stop on subjects close to his heart

NO KIDDING Cyrus Broacha unplugged PHOTO: S.S. SUBRAMANIUM

The `Baap of Bakra,' Cyrus Broacha is pleased with the success of Bakra and the way it has been cloned in various regional channels.

"Did you know that the show is produced by Sajeeth from Kozhikode? Whenever the regional avatars of Bakra are mentioned, I tell them that we have branched off and are now shooting in many languages. Added publicity for the show and the channel," he says in one breath.

Expanding the show

He adds that after `Baap of Bakra,' instead of a `dada of Bakra,' the producers are planning to take the show to Africa and South Asia.

"The new version of Bakra will be longer and whackier, where we take on some of the big shots. The gag will perhaps last a day or more. Instead of the aam janata, we might take on bigger guns, say in the corporate or film world. The idea is to puzzle, embarrass, confuse, amuse and entertain," he reels off without a stop.

However, he says that many episodes of Bakra, where stars had been made the scapegoat, had to be held back as the actors felt it would affect their image.

"As the host I have to use my head; there are a lot of variables and anything can go wrong. So you have to be quick on the take," says Cyrus who joined MTV in 1996 and gave it an Indian address.

"If the television revolution had not happened, I would have probably been in the ad world, dabbling in theatre, discussing plays and holding a nine-to-five job. I enjoy what I am doing now. At the end of the day, I know that I make my living by dressing up, fooling around, playing pranks and giving people a good time. I am enjoying this ride," says Cyrus who made his debut on stage at the age of 14. Although he studied theatre at Lee Strassburg Acting Studio in New York, Cyrus gravitated to television.

Without mincing words he explains, "Theatre does not pay. One has to be practical. I am not saying one is better than the other. But unless you are wealthy, you cannot afford to act or direct one play and remain unemployed the rest of the time. I am 34 and know no other job and I have a family to look after."

Married to Ayesha, a photographer, the couple have a son Mikhaail and a second Cyrus junior is due on January 28.

Admirer of Gorbachev

"I was named after the great emperor Cyrus as my father, Farokh Broacha, is a great admirer of the Persian emperor. Continuing the tradition, I have named my son after Mikhail Gorbachev, someone whom I admire. He gave his people freedom. But I feel he was too hasty in his attempt to liberalise the economy. Like China, the process should have been gradual," feels the political science graduate, an alumnus of St. Xavier's College, Mumbai.

Talk politics and there is no stopping him as he tears his hair at the levels of illiteracy in India and the population explosion.

With a straight face he says, "On January 28, I am going for a vasectomy. I wanted to adopt a child but my wife was against it. Since, I was brought up in a matriarchal family, (in fact, my mother, Oliva, used to beat me with a slipper), I am afraid of women and so I had to give up the idea of adoption."

He also raves and rants at the "shocking levels of ignorance" he comes across in the course of his work. "For instance, anyone with a pretty face or good body thinks she/he can make it as an actor. So, they pack their bags and land in Mumbai. They would not have read a single play or book on theatre or cinema. All they want is to become an actor."

But the man who is never at a loss for words has a secret desire. "To be not Mr. Friendly all the time. When I am walking my dog, for instance, I would like to be alone and left alone without having to make polite conversation with complete strangers. I need my private space."

SARASWATHY NAGARAJAN

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